The following rankings were submitted Wednesday morning.
1. Quinnipiac Bobcats (16-3, 8-0 MAAC), First in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 71-68 @ Niagara, W 83-43 vs. Fairfield, W 85-51 vs. Manhattan
Look who’s 8-0. The preseason favorite Quinnipiac Bobcats. Any surprise? Well, no. We all expected them to be at the top, but in such dominating fashion? Two straight halves just south of 60 points? Gosh. This team is on FIRE.
Oh yeah, Marist comes to town. Big. Game.
Next three games: Thurs. 1/22 vs. Marist, Mon. 1/26 @ Manhattan, 1/30 @ Siena.
2. Marist (11-6, 7-1 MAAC), Second in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 67-45 @ Manhattan, W 74-64 vs. Canisius, W 65-58 vs. Siena
No. 1 vs. No. 2. A rematch of last year’s championship game. The best offense (QU) vs. the best defense (Marist). Which will give? ESPN3, Thursday night.
Next three games: Thurs. 1/22 @ Quinnipiac, Sat. 1/24 vs. Saint Peter’s, Thurs. 1/29 vs. Manhattan
3. Iona (9-8, 6-2 MAAC), Third in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 77-43 vs. Saint Peter’s, W 79-50 @ Siena, L 85-81 (OT) vs. Rider
As I said last week, the Gaels were very likely to be upset. I thought Siena would snag Iona, but in fact, it was winless Rider. Despite 41 points from Damika Martinez, the Gaels were unable to come away with the victory. Their punishment? Three-consecutive road games.
Next three games: Fri. 1/23 @ Niagara, Sun. 1/25 @ Canisius, Thurs. 1/29 @ Fairfield
4. Fairfield (6-11, 5-3 MAAC), Fourth in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 59-47 @ Rider, L 83-43 @ Quinnipiac, W 57-47 @ Saint Peter’s
The 17-16 late first half lead didn’t last too long against Quinnipiac, did it? I’m pretty sure the Stags will be the No. 4 seed come March, beating the lower echelon teams while struggling with the top dogs.
Next three games: Thurs. 1/22 vs. Rider, Sun. 1/25 @ Monmouth, Thurs. 1/29 @ Iona
5. Niagara (8-9, 4-4 MAAC), Tied for fifth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 71-68 vs. Quinnipiac, L 61-56 @ Rider, W 59-45 @ Monmouth
A loss at Rider didn’t sit well with the Purple Eagles, but they figured things out in a convincing win at Monmouth. If they want to separate themselves from the middle of the pack, this week is the chance.
Next three games: Weds. 1/21 vs. Canisius, 1/23 vs. Iona, 1/29 @ Saint Peter’s
6. Canisius (6-11, 4-4 MAAC) Tied for fifth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 71-70 vs. Siena, L 74-64 @ Marist, W 57-45 vs. St. Peter’s
I know it’s early, but sole possession of fifth place is on the line Wednesday night at Niagara. That’s the final seed awarded a bye in Albany.
Next three games: Weds. 1/21 @ Niagara, 1/25 vs. Iona, 1/30 @ Monmouth
7. Rider (5-13, 2-6 MAAC), ninth in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 59-47 vs. Fairfield, W 61-56 vs. Niagara, W 85-81 (OT) @ Iona
Mid-to-late January is never a bad time to get hot and Rider sure knows that. The Broncs were easily the team of the week. They won twice and jumped up two spots in the MAAC standings. The road to around .500 seems attainable, especially if they can knock off the Stags of Fairfield on Thursday.
Next three games: Thurs. 1/22 @ Fairfield, Mon. 1/26 vs. Saint Peter’s, Wed. 1/28 @ Siena
8. Siena (10-7, 3-5 MAAC), Tied for seventh in the MAAC
Previous three games: W 71-70 @ Canisius, L 79-50 vs. Iona, L 65-58 @ Marist
When you face two of the Top 3 teams in the same weekend, a split would be great, but the Saints couldn’t sketch a W. The bottom of the MAAC is ahead.
Next three games: Thurs. 1/22 @ Monmouth, Sat. 1/24 vs. Manhattan, Wed. 1/28 vs. Rider
9. Monmouth (7-10, 3-5 MAAC), Tied for seventh in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 63-60 vs. Marist, W 73-69 @ Manhattan, L 59-45 vs. Niagara
Monmouth laid an egg at home … the difference between fifth and seventh place. The road gets a lot tougher…look below.
Next three games: Thurs. 1/22 vs. Siena, Sun 1/25 vs. Fairfield, Fri. 1/30 vs. Canisius
10. Manhattan (2-15, 1-7 MAAC), Tied for 10th in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 67-45 vs. Marist, L 73-69 vs. Manhattan, L 85-51 @ Quinnipiac
Nothing will get easier in the Big Apple for the Jaspers. A long, long trip up to Siena followed by a quick turn around with Quinnipiac on Monday night. A trek up to Marist puts the icing on the cake. An 0-3 week is probable.
Next three games: Sat. 1/24 @ Siena, Mon. 1/26 vs. Quinnipiac, Thurs. 1/29 @ Marist
11. Saint Peter’s (1-16, 1-7 MAAC), Tied for 10th in the MAAC
Previous three games: L 53-45 vs. Yale, L 57-45 vs. Canisius, L 57-47 vs. Fairfield
When does the 2015-2016 season begin?
Next three games: Sat. 1/24 @ Marist, Mon. 1/26 @ Rider, Thurs. 1/29 vs. Niagara
